Distance measuring device

1. A distance measuring device, comprising: a flat rectangular housing containing a radiation emitting and receiving device, a first outer wall, an opposite outer wall, a pair of outer side walls, a first outer end wall comprising a radiation inlet and outlet opening and a second outer end wall opposite the first end wall, the second end wall or outer surface thereof forming a stop surface or stop edge, an actuator for emitting the radiation, a control panel emerging from the first outer wall, and a handle originating from the housing, movable relative to the housing, accessible laterally from the housing, and pivotable around an axis passing through the first and opposite outer walls, said handle having a U-shape in cross-section, and comprising a first flat limb, a second flat limb and a connecting limb connecting the first and second limbs, the handle being pivotable from a central position in which the first limb extends along and covers a portion of the first outer wall of the housing, the second limb extends along and covers a portion of the opposite outer wall of the housing and the connecting limb extends along a portion of the second end wall of the housing, said handle also being laterally displaceable with respect to the housing.

2. A distance measuring device according to claim 1 , wherein the handle is detachable from the housing and reinsertable in a different position on the housing.

3. A distance measuring device according to claim 1 , wherein the handle has a U-shape with flat limbs that extend along the flat sides of the housing, and a transverse limb that connects the limbs, and which extends along one of the walls, in a non-pivoting position of the handle.

4. A distance measuring device according to claim 3 , wherein the flat limb has a width extension equal or approximately equal to width of the flat side of the housing.

5. A distance measuring device according to claim 3 , wherein the transverse limb parallel to the flat limbs has a U-shape, with sections running between the longitudinal edges of the flat limb, which in a basic position of the handle extend along the transverse sides of the housing.

6. A distance measuring device according to claim 5 , wherein the sections engage with geometrically adjusted areas of the housing.

7. A distance measuring device according to claim 1 , wherein the handle extends along the wall that forms the stop surface or the stop edge, in a non-pivoting position, or when the handle has not been reinserted into a different position.

8. A distance measuring device according to claim 1 , wherein the wall forming the stop surface or the stop edge, features rib-like projections, having free external surfaces spanning a plane forming the stop surface or stop edge.

9. A distance measuring device according to claim 8 , wherein the handle has a transverse limb with notches that match the projections.

10. A distance measuring device according to claim 9 , wherein the projections, when the handle is in a basic position, pass through the notches such that free outer surfaces of the projections form a stop surface or stop edge.

11. A distance measuring device according to claim 1 , wherein a switch emerges from the handle.

12. A distance measuring device according to claim 11 , wherein the switch is a push button switch.

13. A distance measuring device according to claim 1 , wherein the control panel is visible through the handle in a central position thereof.